Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting – September 3, 2025

The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole met on September 3, 2025, to hear public comments, conduct interviews for the Brownfield Redevelopment Citizens Advisory Council (CAC), discuss contracts for audiovisual production services, and consider multiple settlement agreements and other routine matters. The meeting began with public comment limited to two minutes per speaker, with nine virtual participants. Notable discussions centered on bus service improvements, retiree concerns, solar takings, and equity in media coverage.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Miko A. Williams thanked Detroit for recent voter turnout, expressed support for justice and democracy, and called for liberation of the city from control by the rich and white.
• Sean Help Cunningham requested cleaner bus stops, benches for elderly riders, and better on-time performance. Councilmember Mary Waters agreed and noted the need for trash cans at stops.
• Cunningham (second caller) reported that residents feel council does not care about bus services; urged council to improve transit and provided his community hotline number.
• Not That Karen spoke on behalf of retirees, noting no cost-of-living adjustment in 12 years, and requested elimination of the clawback and equal treatment with public safety retirees. Also complained about an overgrown city parking lot on West McNichols and asked for blue recycle bins. Councilmember Angela Winfo Callaway responded that $500,000 was secured in the budget for recycle bins.
• William M. Davis agreed with retiree concerns, criticized the city for not renegotiating bankruptcy-era deals (Great Lakes Water Authority, Bell Lao), and called for better stewardship.
• You Matter criticized the city’s handling of solar takings, alleged conflict of interest involving Byron Osburn serving on both the Board of Zoning Appeals and Community Advisory Council, and demanded better oversight of Detroit Police body cameras and building cameras.
• Tyson Gersh argued that the city does not need certified court reporters at zoning hearings; municipalities record and post online. He questioned why appellants must pay nearly $5,000 for transcripts to challenge decisions.
• Mr. Ronald Foster urged council to protect free speech and stop retaliating against critics, and called for transparency regarding lobbyists and dark money in public comment.

Discussion Items

• Brownfield Redevelopment CAC Reappointments (Line Items 5 & 6): Interviews were conducted with Marlo Sean Franklin and George Etheridge. Franklin highlighted his 75% attendance and focus on community engagement. Etheridge noted 99% attendance, discussed his experience as a former council policy analyst, and emphasized the need for community voice in brownfield developments. Councilmember Callaway requested that the Law Department and Legislative Policy Division explore establishing a brownfield district in the James Cousins area to revitalize vacant properties.
• AV Production Services Contracts (Line Items 7.1–7.4): Communications Director Vicky Thomas and Media Services Admin Director Myesha Crawford presented a tiered approach to split a previous single contract into four tiers to include smaller Detroit-based companies. Contracts: Mish Brew Multimedia ($250,000), Good Boy Records ($90,000), SR Audio ($134,000), and Creative Day ($502,000, two-year total). Councilmembers raised concerns that Creative Day, based in Troy, Michigan, receives the lion’s share, and questioned whether mileage fees are included. Councilmember Callaway and Councilmember Johnson expressed frustration that Media Services prioritizes the Mayor over council events, citing several instances of inadequate coverage (e.g., summer sizzler, band shell reveal, MGM event). Thomas responded that her goal is equitable coverage and committed to improving. A motion to approve all four contracts passed without objection.
• Settlement for Dorothy McGillrath & Diane Davis (Line Item 7.8): Councilmember Callaway asked whether the employee who caused the accident was disciplined or still driving. Law Department did not have the answer; the item was brought back in one week.
• Other Settlements (Line Items 7.9, 8.1–8.11): Multiple settlement requests were approved or brought back for questions. Notable: 7.9 ($80,000, DPW) approved after clarification that e-scooters are allowed on sidewalks; 8.1 corrected to $1,551,320 for legal representation; 8.3 and 8.4 (DDOT) held for questions; 8.5 (police) held; others approved.
• Appointment to Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority (Line Item 7.5): Councilmember Letitia Johnson’s reappointment of Byron Osburn was approved after receiving favorable legal opinion.
• Unmanned Aerial Systems Contract (Line Item 7.6): Three-year contract with Airspace Link for $397,803 approved.
• Debarment Ordinance (Line Item 7.19): Motion to bring back in one month.

Key Outcomes

• Approved by motion (sent to formal): Line items 7.1–7.4 (AV production contracts), 7.5 (Byron Osburn appointment), 7.6 (drone contract), 7.9 (settlement $80,000), 8.1 (legal representation contract, as amended), 8.2 (settlement $75,000), 8.6–8.11 (settlements ranging $10,000–$325,000), 8.14 (medical/dental/vision rates resolution), and 8.15 (supervisors labor agreement resolution).
• Brought back for future dates: Line items 5 and 6 (Brownfield reappointments – date to be determined), 7.8 (settlement – one week), 8.3 ($43,500 – one week), 8.4 ($295,000 – one week), 8.5 ($44,000 – one week), 7.10 and 7.12–7.18 (closed session – date to be determined), 7.19 (debarment ordinance – one month).
• Received and filed: Line items 7.7 (legal opinion on multiple board service), 7.11 (memo on independent legal counsel), 7.20 (tax abatements for urban agriculture), 8.12 (Board of Ethics report), 8.13 (campaign contribution disclosures), 8.16 (ombudsman interview list).
• New business: Councilmember Callaway established a motion to direct LPD and Law Department to investigate a brownfield district for the James Cousins corridor. The motion passed without objection.
• Member reports: Councilmember Johnson announced a skilled trade task force meeting on September 17. Councilmember Callaway reported several upcoming district events and raised a formal complaint about a district manager pre-announcing a street name change without council approval.